Bears drop series opener to #9 LSUE Bengals

Friday, April 17, 2026: Baseball

Baton Rouge, LA

The Baton Rouge Bears faced off against the #9 LSUE Bengals tonight at Pete Goldsby Field, kicking off their four-game LCCAC series. The opening game turned into a slugfest, with the Bengals outslugging the Bears to secure a 19 to 9 victory.

The Bengals struck first with a two-run homer by A. Clapinski to left field, taking an early lead. The Bears responded in the bottom of the first inning, tying the game at 2. Kenneth Berard hit a single to left field, Brayden Bertucci was hit by a pitch, and Peyton Chiasson drew a walk to load the bases. Trent Laporte then hit a single to left field, plating Berard and Bertucci.

In the top of the second, the Bengals strung together several hits and a walk, scoring two more runs to take a 4-2 lead. They extended their lead in the top of the third by capitalizing on a Bears fielding error, making it 5-2. The Bears fought back in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs to close the gap to 5-4. Kenneth Berard walked, Brayden Bertucci hit a single, and Peyton Chiasson was hit by a pitch to load the bases again. Trent Laporte came through once more with a single to right field, driving in Berard. Cayden Vice grounded out, allowing Bertucci to score.

The Bengals utilized the long ball again in the top of the fifth, adding four runs to extend their lead to 9-4, thanks to a three-run homer by M. Bordelon.

The Bears made a comeback in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs to pull within one run at 9-8. Hudson Heltz was hit by a pitch, Keegan Kelsey singled, and Brecken Bordelon singled to bring Heltz home for the Bears' first run of the inning. Kenneth Berard then singled to right field, allowing Kelsey to score. Finally, Brayden Bertucci hit a double to left field, bringing both Bordelon and Berard home.

The Bengals answered back in the top of the seventh with another homer, scoring a total of five runs and widening their lead to 14-8. A. Moutin hit a three-run homer during this inning. The Bears still showed resilience, scratching across a run in the bottom of the seventh. Cayden Vice led off with a triple to center field and scored on a single by Hudson Heltz.

The Bengals sealed the game in the top of the ninth, scoring five more runs to take a commanding 19-9 lead. M. Obradivich contributed with a two-run homer to left field. The Bears went down in order in the bottom of the ninth, resulting in their loss.

Tanner Cranford started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss, pitching four innings while allowing 9 runs (8 earned) on 9 hits, with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Chandler Moreau (2.1 innings), Kohl Navarre (0.2 innings), Brennan Champagne (1.0 inning), and Kyle Stansbury (1.0 inning) pitched in relief for the Bears. L. Fenske started on the mound for the Bengals and earned the victory, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits, with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. H. Spangler and H. Gambel pitched in relief for the Bengals.

The Bengals outhit Baton Rouge 18 to 14, and the Bears committed two errors compared to one for the Bengals.

Bears Highlights:

- Keegan Kelsey: 2 for 5 with 1 run

- Brecken Bordelon: 1 for 6 with 1 run and 1 RBI

- Kenneth Berard: 2 for 4 with 3 runs, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

- Brayden Bertucci: 3 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs

- Trent Laporte: 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs

- Cayden Vice: 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI

- Hudson Heltz: 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI

- Jake Lipscomb: 1 for 2

With the loss, the Bears fall to 4-39, 0-13 in conference play, while the Bengals improve to 33-8, 10-3. LSUE leads the all-time series against Baton Rouge with 80 wins to 16 losses.

Up Next:

The Bears and the Bengals will continue their conference series tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, with a 2 PM doubleheader at Pete Goldsby Field.

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